Robinhood has named Salah Kaddoura as Senior Executive Officer and President of Robinhood MENA, placing him in charge of its regional expansion following the company's decision to establish its Middle East headquarters at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The appointment coincides with Robinhood receiving authorization from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), allowing the US-based financial technology company to prepare for the introduction of its retail investment platform across the Middle East.
Kaddoura will oversee Robinhood's expanding regional team and lead efforts to establish the company's presence in one of the world's fastest-developing financial technology markets. He brings experience across financial services, investment operations, and the Middle East's fintech sector.
The regulatory authorization covers trading and custody services across ten DFSA-approved asset classes, including equities, cryptocurrencies, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and investment tokens.
Robinhood plans to introduce its regional investment products in 2027, potentially expanding access to global financial markets for retail investors across the region. Specific launch dates and individual market availability have not yet been announced.
Robinhood Chairman and CEO Vlad Tenev described the expansion into DIFC as an important step toward building a more internationally accessible investment platform.
The move comes as Dubai continues attracting global brokerage firms, cryptocurrency companies, and digital investment platforms seeking to strengthen their operations in the Middle East.
With Kaddoura leading its regional operations, Robinhood aims to establish a local presence while preparing to compete in a financial market increasingly shaped by digital trading, crypto adoption, and demand for accessible investment technology.
